Volunteers are voices for abused, neglected children

HILLSDALE — Scores of area children who have been abused, neglected or abandoned enter the foster care system each year.

Through the newly-formed Hillsdale CASA Inc., there are volunteers to speak up for these children and make sure they get the help they need through the court system.

These Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers work with the children to ease their journeys through the court system, said Deb Taube who, along with Kathleen Falls, has worked with another organization in Branch County.

Upon seeing that Hillsdale County was not represented by the group, they set out to form CASA Inc. in Hillsdale.

Taube said it took two years and reaching out to a lot of people for the organization to become established locally.

“As of June 19, we’re affiliated with National CASA and are ready to move to Hillsdale County,” Taube said.

A speaking engagement brought Taube and Executive Director Heather Tritchka to a recent Hillsdale Kiwanis Club meeting to help introduce the organization to the community.

Taube said the volunteers gather needed information to provide a detailed picture for a judge to decide what’s best for the child in terms of custody and any special conditions. They hope for reunification of the family, but only if it is in the best interest of the child, Taube said.

The CASA program will be housed at the Hillsdale County Intermediate School District’s Bacon Street location, which has graciously provided a room and desk for the organization. As executive director, Tritchka’s position will eventually become a paid one, with others working solely on a volunteer basis, Taube said.

By working with the children in foster care, CASA volunteers provide support, guidance and personalized expertise to assist each child in finding a safe and permanent place to call home.

“They speak up for children concerning health, education and mental health needs,” she said.

Taube said the first CASA came about in 1978 in Washington, when a judge in Seattle came up with a special group of volunteers.

“Before 1967, there were no laws regarding mistreatment of children,” Taube said. “The support system is to make sure needs are met.”

Having served as a foster parent herself, Taube has had “wonderful experiences,” noting it’s not something just anyone can do.

“Now in the U.S. each year, there are over 700,000 children that go through the system,” Taube said. “There are 70,000 CASA volunteers and 956 CASA groups in the U.S. Out of 700,000 children, 400,000 are removed from their families each year and there are just enough advocates for one-third of the children.”

Locally, Taube said she is thrilled to have Tritchka as executive director and to have received a grant from the Hillsdale County Community Foundation to get started.

“One of our main supporters is the Hillsdale ISD, which has supplied a person on the board, a plan for meetings, a desk and has been instrumental in getting us started,” Taube said.

In addition to searching for needed volunteers, Taube said the organization is looking to secure office equipment so all information can be compiled in one place rather than on several computers.

Currently, the organization is waiting to obtain 501c3 status, which is being expedited by Congressman Tim Walberg and needs are starting to be met, she said.

Though Taube isn’t a Hillsdale native, she and her husband are now retired and live in Osseo on the same land her father and grandfather retired to.

She looks forward to serving the community.

Tritchka, originally from California, said she too looks forward to serving the community she now calls home. Though her background isn’t in social work, she said the more she learned about the organization the more she got involved.

“This is a calling,” Tritchka said, noting anyone who shares an understanding for children’s needs can become involved. “It’s a worthwhile program and I’m very excited to see it get started in Hillsdale.”